Convection oven rack

Abstract

In accordance with this invention, a convection oven rack is provided which includes a base portion and a plurality of bracket portions attached thereto. Each bracket has a curved interior side that corresponds to the exterior curved shape of a cooking dish insertable between the brackets and on top of the base portion. Attached to the second end of each bracket is a handle portion for gripping. A plurality of padded insulating pads are positioned on the top side of the base portion and the interior side wall of the brackets. In operation, the rack remains attached to the dish during cooking. When cooking is completed, the lid of the dish, which houses a fan and cooking element, is removed so that the rack serves as an insulated holding means whereby food may be served directly from the dish.

I claim: 
     
       1. A rack for retaining a bowl, said rack comprising: a base portion having a top and bottom side;   a plurality of brackets each having a first and second ends, said first ends of said brackets attached to said base portion, said brackets including a plurality of substantially parallel column support sections, a web section interconnecting said support sections, and a curved interior side conforming to the shape of said bowl; and   a handle portion attached to each of said second ends of said brackets, said bowl being slidably engaged between said brackets and positionable upon said base portion.   
     
     
       2. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of insulating pads attached to the top side of said base portion and the interior side of said plurality of brackets, said pads being made of an insulated and resilient material such that said bowl is cushioned and insulated from said rack when engaged between said brackets.   
     
     
       3. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 2, wherein said plurality of pads have a frictional surface in contact with said bowl to substantially reduce rotational or vertical translation of said bowl while engaged. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: an opening formed in said web to ventilate heat transferable from said bowl to said brackets.   
     
     
       5. A rack for retaining a bowl, said rack comprising: a circular shaped base portion having an edge of a substantially uniform thickness and a top and bottom side;   a plurality of brackets each having a first and second ends, said first ends of said brackets attached to said edge of said base portion, said brackets having a curved interior side that corresponds to an exterior surface of said bowl, said brackets including: (i) a plurality of horizontal sections at said first end attached to and extending radially away from said edge of said base portion;   (ii) a plurality of column support sections corresponding to said horizontal sections, said column support sections each having first and second ends, said first ends of said support sections attached to said corresponding horizontal sections;   (iii) a web section positioned between and integral with said column support sections; and   (iv) an opening formed in said web; and     a handle portion attached to each of said second ends of said column sections, said bowl being slidably engaged between said brackets and positionable upon said base portion.   
     
     
       6. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 5, further comprising: a plurality of insulating pads attached to the top side of said base portion and the interior side of said plurality of brackets, said pads being made of an insulated and resilient material such that said bowl is cushioned and insulated from said rack when engaged between said brackets.   
     
     
       7. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 6, wherein said plurality of pads have a frictional surface in contact with said bowl to substantially reduce rotational or vertical translation of said bowl while engaged. 
     
     
       8. An apparatus for holding and serving food, said apparatus comprising: a bowl having a cylindrical side wall, a circular shaped bottom attached perpendicularly to said side wall, and a lip portion defining an upper edge of said side wall   a rack including; a circular shaped base portion having an edge of a substantially uniform thickness;   a plurality of brackets each having a first and second ends, said first ends of said brackets attached to said edge of said base portion, said brackets having a curved interior side that corresponds to an exterior surface of said bowl, said brackets including: (i) a plurality of horizontal sections at said first end attached to and extending radially away from said edge of said base portion;   (ii) a plurality of column support sections corresponding to said horizontal sections, said column support sections each having first and second ends, said first ends of said support sections attached to said corresponding horizontal sections;   (iii) a web section positioned between and integral with said column support sections; and   (iv) an opening formed in said web; and     a handle portion attached to each of said second ends of said column sections, said bowl being slidably engaged between said brackets and positionable upon said base portion.     
     
     
       9. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 8, further comprising: a plurality of insulating pads attached to the top side of said base portion and the interior side of said plurality of brackets, said pads being made of an insulated and resilient material such that said bowl is cushioned and insulated from said rack when engaged between said brackets.   
     
     
       10. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 9, wherein said plurality of pads have a frictional surface in contact with said bowl to substantially reduce rotational or vertical translation of said bowl while engaged. 
     
     
       11. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 8, further comprising: an opening formed in said web to ventilate heat transferable from said bowl to said brackets.